Roberto Mancini has been reinstated as the manager of the Italian national football team, marking his return to the role after a brief departure. The former Azzurri boss, who famously guided Italy to victory at Euro 2020, is stepping back into the job for a second spell now that the squad has missed out on qualification for a third consecutive World Cup tournament.
Mancini's re‑appointment arrives amid a period of upheaval within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Just 16 days after taking up the post of technical director, former AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini walked away from his newly created role, prompting the federation to scramble for a replacement. Claudio Ranieri, the veteran manager who has coached clubs such as Chelsea, Juventus and Leicester City, is being touted as a likely successor to fill Maldini’s vacant technical‑director slot.
The sudden resignation of Maldini and his adviser Leonardo sparked a chain reaction. Both men had been hired to spearhead a sweeping reform of the FIGC after the Azzurri’s failure to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup. Their departure forced the federation to reconsider its shortlist for the senior‑team coach. Initially, Andrea Pirlo – the 47‑year‑old former midfield maestro and World Cup winner in 2006 – was the frontrunner after Pep Guardiola declined the offer.
However, concerns about Pirlo’s commercial partnership with the Russian betting company Fonbet, which he serves as a global ambassador, led to his removal from contention. Critics argued that the affiliation was politically sensitive given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Pirlo addressed the controversy in a candid Instagram post, stating that his relationship with Fonbet was purely commercial and sport‑related, and that he had never expressed any political views connected to the partnership.
He emphasized that throughout his playing and coaching career he had always acted in full compliance with the laws and contractual obligations of the countries in which he worked. Pirlo also mentioned that he was in the process of ending his contract with United FC, a United Arab Emirates Pro League side he was managing at the time, in order to take up the Italian job – a plan that ultimately fell through. Meanwhile, the FIGC had been in advanced talks with Guardiola, hoping to persuade the Manchester City mastermind to replace Gennaro Gattuso, who left the position earlier this year. According to reports, the federation was prepared to make a significant budgetary adjustment to secure Guardiola’s services.
Maldini and Leonardo spent three days meeting the Catalan in Barcelona, presenting a comprehensive "Azzurro project" that would overhaul not only the senior squad but also every age‑group team in Italy. The vision was to rebuild Italian football on a solid, modern foundation after the national side’s unprecedented failure to qualify for the expanded World Cup.
Guardiola, however, declined the proposal for personal reasons unrelated to football. Carlo Ancelotti, another high‑profile Italian coach, was also approached before the federation turned to Guardiola, but he is currently under contract with the Brazil national team and therefore unavailable. With those options exhausted, the FIGC turned back to Mancini, who had previously left the job in August 2023 to take charge of Saudi Arabia’s national side.
Mancini’s tenure with the Saudis lasted just over a year; he stepped down after a series of disappointing results in the early stages of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Mancini’s earlier spell with Italy, from 2018 to 2023, was highlighted by the Euro 2020 triumph, a historic achievement that restored national pride after years of underperformance. His resignation in 2023 came as a surprise to many, but his experience and familiarity with the Italian footballing landscape made him an attractive candidate when the federation needed a steady hand.
The decision to bring Mancini back was announced on Sunday, with the FIGC confirming that negotiations with Pirlo, Maldini and Leonardo would not proceed further due to the aforementioned concerns about the Russian gambling firm. The federation’s leadership expressed confidence that Mancini’s proven track record, tactical acumen, and ability to motivate players would help steer the Azzurri back toward competitive relevance. In addition to the coaching changes, the FIGC is expected to launch a series of reforms aimed at youth development, scouting, and coaching education.
The "Azzurro project" – though now without Guardiola – is likely to continue under Mancini’s guidance, focusing on rebuilding the pipeline of talent that feeds the senior team. The federation hopes that a combination of strategic planning, modern training methods, and a renewed emphasis on domestic league integration will eventually restore Italy to the elite tier of world football. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments through the Sky Sports app, which offers live transfer news, Premier League updates, and exclusive video content.
The app also provides a platform for following the Italian national team’s progress, including match analysis, player interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes features. For those who enjoy interactive experiences, Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel delivers real‑time news, videos, and expert commentary straight to subscribers’ devices. As the new coaching era begins, the Italian public will be watching closely to see whether Mancini can replicate his earlier success and guide the Azzurri back to the major tournaments they have missed. The road ahead is challenging, but with a seasoned manager at the helm and a federation committed to systemic change, there is cautious optimism that Italy’s footballing fortunes may soon turn around.